Written by Shaundrie Jones
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Introducing the Hidden Gem: Brandy Gomez-Duplessis
She is known as the hidden gem in New York & New Orleans, Celebrity Makeup Artist Brandy Gomez-Duplessis. Brandy, a native New Yorker, has always loved makeup. She loves the artistry of make up. She got her start by working at Estee Lauder in New York. In 1997, in her second home New Orleans, she was on the team of the first M.A.C. counter in New Orleans. This is where this fashion forward maven, who loves makeup, made her mark. Brandy began to hone her craft as a freelance makeup artist in her first big break. She was chosen to be the personal makeup artist for News Anchor Michelle Miller, with The Early Show on CBS News. In 2008, after tireless efforts, assignment after assignment and great work, her name began trending in the industry.
She now works for huge conventions such as; The Golden Globes, The Super Bowl, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim, Sundance Film Festival, and the OPRAH O! You Tour. Brandy is the NBA All Star Weekend Key Makeup Artist (since 2006) and Official Makeup Artist for the Essence Festival. She has also styled Golden Globe & Oscar winner Melissa Leo, Kerry Washington, Kim Kardashian, Malin Ackerman, Angela Bassett, Khloe Kardashian, Brad Pitt, Kris Jenner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Jordin Sparks, Reggie Bush, Chris Paul, Usher; just to name a few.
Maravilloso spoke with Brandy and she gave us insight into the make up industry and beauty tips and MORE! Brandy is such an inspiration! Check out more below!
She now works for huge conventions such as; The Golden Globes, The Super Bowl, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim, Sundance Film Festival, and the OPRAH O! You Tour. Brandy is the NBA All Star Weekend Key Makeup Artist (since 2006) and Official Makeup Artist for the Essence Festival. She has also styled Golden Globe & Oscar winner Melissa Leo, Kerry Washington, Kim Kardashian, Malin Ackerman, Angela Bassett, Khloe Kardashian, Brad Pitt, Kris Jenner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Jordin Sparks, Reggie Bush, Chris Paul, Usher; just to name a few.
Maravilloso spoke with Brandy and she gave us insight into the make up industry and beauty tips and MORE! Brandy is such an inspiration! Check out more below!
Maravilloso: What sparked your interest in make-up?
Brandy: My first beauty memory was watching television of old Hollywood actresses. Back in the days women were very polished, elegant, and well groomed. Women’s hair was always styled, dressed like an in-store mannequin, and dripped in lots of jewelry. To me that was beau-tee-ful (laughing). When I finally realized that being a makeup artist was a job, I knew I wanted to do it. In my era, I didn’t hear about makeup artists; so, I went to the library to read up on it. I didn’t have the internet, YouTube, and Kevyn Aucoin books, (laughing). As a make-up artist, what inspires you on a daily basis?
Brandy: (OMG! Laughing) I am inspired by a lot of things. Watching fashion shows from designers that I love inspire me especially designers DSquared. Their fashions shows have me sketching up all kind of looks, (laughing). If I am in a magnificent home decorated beautifully, looking at ad campaigns in the magazines, being by water, art, and just being around anything luxurious I get inspired. Maravilloso: If someone was interested in this profession, what are the proper steps to follow?
Brandy: I get ask this questions all the time. (Laughing) Everyone wants to be a celebrity makeup artists, first figure out what type of makeup artistry you want to do. There is so many different artistry out there. For instance I like glamour and beauty; special effects is not my thing. If you don’t know the artistry, or the variety of it, you can jump into something and be clueless about it. Work under somebody or work for free. A lot of people don’t want to hear that, but you’re not going to wake up, and buy top products and expect to be a top makeup artist. People don’t understand just like there is entry level in the corporate world, the same applies for the beauty industry. You have to know your place. Work under a photographer. Every photographer is different. L.A. is different from Miami etc. You have to know what the photographer wants, so work for free. That’s what I did for a year even with Arista records. When I was working at the M.A.C. counter, I started knocking on doors and showing my face because we didn't have the internet back then, so I was showing my portfolio saying I want to show you my work for free, and later we can talk about pay. The key is doing research, and practice. Maravilloso: What do you love about your job? Dislike? Brandy: I love a lot about my job, where do I start (laughing). I love that I get paid to do what I love. How fabulous is that? I am able to travel to places that I would never get to go to if it wasn't for my artistry. I get to meet amazing woman daily and make them glamorous I am able to make my own schedule which allows me to spend time with my kids (20 year old daughter & 15 year old son). How awesome is it that…and I get to see my work on television and in magazines. The only challenge I have with my career is the early call times so waking up at 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. can be hard but once I’m up and out the door I’m ok. Maravilloso: When should you start wearing makeup? What tips would give a young lady wearing make-up for her first time? Brandy: There is no right or wrong answer for when a girl should wear makeup. I think I started wearing makeup around 16 or 17 years of age. The first time I got my brows done was in my 20’s by Nadine Luke Director Make Up Artistry International at MAC Cosmetics, so I was a late bloomer. When my daughter was 16 years old this is what I explained to her about makeup. I shared with her she would have to be responsible by washing her face twice a day, every morning and night. To maintain her flawless skin with no open pores and/or acne she would have to follow these steps. After that conversation she decided that she was not ready to go through that regimen; cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. |
Maravilloso: Okay, lets talk make-up. What are the make-up trends for this fall?
Brandy: This fall the makeup look will be all about strong vampy lips, and white eye pencil. Stila cosmetics came out with two white eye pencils; a smudge stick and a waterproof liquid eyeliner. I’m really excited about the burgundy and wine lip shades, I think they look great on all skin tones. Maravilloso: I have this problem ALL THE TIME! When choosing a particular shade of makeup, how do you make sure it matches your skin tone?
Brandy: When selecting the correct makeup shades DON’T use your hands or arms. Always test the foundation on your chin close to your neck. Try 2-3 shades to see which one matches the best. Another thing I always share with my client is your foundation in the summer usually won’t be the same shade in the winter. That goes for my boogie down brown girls as well. Maravilloso: Also, I have known people to apply their false lashes with weave glue. Is this safe? If not, what damage could it cause? Brandy: WOW…who does that? I’m not a doctor or anything but I’m sure it’s not safe for the eye. Can you say EYE INFECTION or VISION!!!! Maravilloso: Young ladies love eye shadow! It's all about the eyes, we want them to be beautiful! Is there a proper technique when applying eye shadow and eye liner? Brandy: When applying eye makeup I like using concealer and/ or primer on the eye lids. Then with a makeup brush I deposit the eye shadow on the lid by patting instead of sweeping it across the lid. Maravilloso: Can you tell us your favorite and most useful make up tip? Brandy: For a humid outdoor assignment to keep the skin from sweating here is a fun tip. With a foundation brush, I apply a thin layer of clear unscented deodorant to the face. This is better than any makeup primer and it's easier on the wallet. Another sweat proof makeup tip I use on set on my clients that shine a lot. I carry in my set bag recycle brown napkins. I need something that was going to absorb the sweat/oil on my clients’ faces. I didn't want to keep adding loose, translucent powder every five minutes, and blotting sheets weren’t working against the humid weather. These napkins are free and won’t irritate sensitive skin." To keep swelling down on my eyes on myself when I have these early mornings call times I personally like to use L'Oreal Paris Youth Code Eye Cream. Place it in the fridge for 3 to 5 minutes. The metal tip applicator helps to soothe and de-puff under the eyes. It has caffeine to deflate those pesky bags, as well as skin brightening light diffusers. |